159 countries visa-free or on arrival, first Asian country to top list (CCSS Level: Grade 11, Words: 362)

Nov 2, 2017 World News

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Not all passports are created equal, and for the first time in history, an Asian country has the most flexible passport in the world.

Singapore no longer has to share the top prize with Germany. With a visa-free score of 159, Singapore now holds the title for "most powerful passport in the world".

The tie-breaker between Germany and Singapore is all thanks to Paraguay. The South American country recently removed visa requirements for Singaporeans.

With a Singapore passport, one can travel to 159 countries visa-free and/or visa on arrival, including the United Kingdom, Nepal, Mexico, and one of the most difficult countries to enter: Kiribati.

The Passport Index is an interactive online tool developed by International residence and citizenship advisory firm Arton Capital. The index ranks the world's most powerful passports by analysing cross-border access and assigning a 'visa-free score' based on the number of countries a passport holder can visit without a visa or with a visa acquired on arrival.

Phillippe May, managing director of Arton Capital's Singapore office told CNN, "Singapore has constantly increased its passport strength since it became independent in 1965. This is in part due to smart and far-sighted foreign policies, excellent diplomacy and by understanding globalisation as an opportunity. "

May added that Singapore, unlike Schengen member countries in Europe, does not share a common travel zone with other countries. It is therefore not locked into visa restrictions decided by other nations, leaving it entirely responsible for its own decisions about who to grant visa-free access.

Here's the top 10 list of the most powerful passports in the world. For the first time, Singapore is the first Asian country to top the list. Other top 10 Asian countries on the index include South Korea, Japan and Malaysia. Note that there is very little separating the Top 10 categories.